New Tuesday Challenge!

This is the House of Turquoise and it is our photo inspiration Challenge over at Loves Rubberstamps!  You have one week to play and upload your card.  Did you know that you can upload from SplitcoastStampers or any other site you belong to?  You do not need to have a blog to join in the fun.  From SplitCoastStampers, simply click on your card, so that it's the only card showing, and then right click the web address in the left hand corner and "copy" .  From there go to Loves Rubberstamps challenge and click to enter.  You will then "paste" in the URL line.  So easy and so worth it!  A gift voucher to LovesRubberstamps is so AWESOME!  Laura carries so many different stamp companies that before you know it, you will have gotten to the FREE shipping minimum and still be wanting to shop, lol. 

This is my take on the photo challenge.  I went with the colors that jumped out at me.   I used Stamping Bella's Little Peeps Flower Vase, Laura carries her Little Peeps over HERE.  I love them ALL!!!  I've always been attracted to miniature things and the little Peeps make me so happy!  I love when paper matches a challenge.  Makes it so easy to play along.  Today I am using MME Indie Chic - Citron.  From there, I take the papers I want to use and match my Copics from my color chart.  I stamped the image directly onto the designer paper and then onto some Crafter's Companion white paper and colored both on the designer paper and the Crafter's Companion paper.  Then I cut out and pasted or paper pierced part of the image onto the designer paper.  The sketch is from MFT's sketch challenge for last year, MFTWSC38.  I'm still catching up, lol.  I used S.U. pearls and colored them with my copics for the rikrak border and the flowers.

Now head on over to Loves Rubberstamps and take a look at the Challenge Blog.  I look forward to seeing your wonderful creations based on the photo inspiration.

Thanks for Looking and for you kind Comments!

Holly

I've Got UR Back - MFTGUESTDT0812

It's that time again, time to make a card and upload it to the My Favorite Things Guest Design Challenge.  I love this months sketch!  So many possibilities and so little time, lol.  Here is what I came up with:

I paired up MFT's A La Mode - I've got UR back with What's up designer paper by BasicGrey.  Love this A La Mode and I was so upset when she sold out before I had a chance to snag her up.  Thankfully, it was not that long before they had more.  :)  I have also used Chevron Die-namics, along with the Mini Tabs Die-namics, a my Fishtail Die-namics that I absolutely love.  I could not believe I had matching brads in my stash.  I always reach for the same colored brads but decided since these went so perfect I would use those.  Then I colored some rhinestones with my Copics blue and added those as well.  I colored her with my Copic markers and I was in business.

Have you heard who has joined the MFT's design team?

OMG!  To design next to Lisa Johnson, even for a month would be HEAVEN!  Wish me luck!

Thanks for Looking and for your kind Comments!

Holly

Picture Perfect - MFTWSC82

Well here is my take on this weeks sketch over at MFT's.  I used my new Picture Perfect P.I.  I paired her with some MME Quite Contrary designer paper.  I had and have some unused 6X6 pads laying around here that I wanted to start using.....at least once, lol.  Love this DP though, polka dots make me happy.  I also want to mention the hair color combination.  I saw this color combination with Copic Markers Here.  Shelby is amazing with her color combinations and coloring.  This combination is going into my fav's!  I have used the E08 before, so I kinda knew what I wanted to do with this combination.  When I first saw this image, and the cute frame, I thought about using my Liminarte Twinkling H20's Gold Dust.  Afterwards I was so plain, I asked DH what his take on it would be, and he agreed, something must be added for some dimension and shading. So I added some Warm Pecan Twinkling H20's to it and more Gold Dust til I had it where I could do no more to it, lol.   So then the next problem was how to get matching or something that would go with this brads.  I just colored my gold brads with E37 (because it was the first E that came into view, lol) and it darkened them enough to look okay with this.  I finished up with the small tags die-namic and stamped, "Smile."  That comes with this image.  Used scallop flower die-namic and the leaf die-namic for the corner and viola!  I air brushed the background with C9 and BG 13.  Other Copics used: R39, R37, R35, C6, E2, E8, E18, E19, E0000, E000, E00, E21, E93. 

I also could have submitted her to the LOVES RUBBERSTAMPS CHALLENGE going on right now, which is paper piecing.  But I am one of the Design Team members, so I'll just play along. If you have a card you have been working on with Paper Piecing, head on over to the Challenge Blog and upload quickly! lol.  Of course the next Challenge will start tomorrow and you can play along with that one too........

By the way, you may also want to head on over to the Loves Rubberstamps store before I buy everything! lol.  I have just put two back to back orders in.  So many CUTE, CUTE stamps! 

Thanks for Looking and for your kind Comments!

Holly

Party on Josh

Hi, 

I am so excited to be able to play in this bi-weekly Sparkles Creations Challenge.  I almost thought I wasn't going to be able to.  Marathon working isn't good for the creative soul, lol.   I am also going to mention the challenge going on over at Loves Rubberstamps!  This card would have worked perfect for this because it's all about paper piercing.  But you know, since I am on the Design Team, I will not be uploading over there.....but I can still play along.  lol.  

I used a sketch from last years sketch challenge over at MFT's.  MFTWSC7.  I'm still playing catch up on last years, lol. 

For this card, I used MME Away We Go paper.  I thought it looked like a masculine partyish paper.  I'm not loving the big ol brads now, but at the time they seemed like such a great idea, lol.

Thanks for Looking and for your kind Comments!

Holly

Blog Candy Winner!!!!

And the winner of My Favorite Things, "Complimentary Greetings" is Tabitha!!!  Congratulations!

I Heart Sketches, final July Post

This is my final post for this months SFYTT over at I Heart Sketches.  Thank you so much Jen and Susan for choosing me as the Guest Designer.   I had so much fun with this sketch this month!  And the sponsor is literally one of MY FAVORITE THINGS!  Here is the July Sketch:

And here is my take on it one last time....sniff

This adorable mouse is called Mouse in the House - Blessed Mouse.

I used Simple Stories Summer paper, Ticket border Die-namic also from MFT's.

I colored with my copics: R24, R27, R29, G20, G21, G24, B21, E35, E34, E33, Y6, N4, N3, N2, N1, N0, E93. 

Now are you ready for a funny story?  When Susie emailed me to ask me if I would be this months guest designer and I said yes, she emailed me some details.  I thought she was asking me to come up with a sketch from my very first card!  lol.   I was like, OMG, I am not sure where I even got that card design, because for sure, it was not something I came up with.  And then a feeling of dread that I would have to to upload my first card, lol.  I don't even have my first card, lol.  But the first one I uploaded to SplitCoastStampers is HERE.   And at the time, I was very proud of that, lol.  I think I even sent it to my Sister, who raved about how great it was....that's my Sister, very supportive of whatever I am doing.  So aren't you glad I did not have to come up with a sketch? lol.  Me too!

Everyone has been so wonderful.   Thank you Jen for the this wonderful opportunity!  And thank you Susie, it was a dream come true!  And thank you to MFT's for being a wonderful sponsor!

I'm off to draw the winner of my very first blog candy!  Which I will post later today. 

Thanks for Looking and your wonderful Comments!

Holly

Inspiration Friday

Hi Everyone,

This is my day for Loves Rubberstamps Inspiration Friday post.  Today I am keeping with this weeks theme to paper pierce.  Have you made one yet?  Why not?  Get started! lol.   You actually have until 9:00 pm SCT Monday to upload your cards, but we get so excited to see them!  Click Here for the details!

I have used the cute little CC stamp Swiss Pixie Birgitta.  I love her braids.  I have paired her with Echo Parks This and That - Graceful papers.  I used papers for her shirt and boots.  I colored her boots first and decided I didn't like it and so I paper pierced them, lol.  It ties in with the color pallate much better, lol.  I also used the same pattern that I cut from her boots for my Fringed Perennial flower.  So I stamped her image, cut out the dress and the flower in the patterned paper, stamped the Sunflower, hand, and stem again and then once I was finished coloring with my copics, I glued the layers on.  Then I stamped the boots and cut those out and glued them on.  Easier than I made it sound. lol.  Laura has all kinds of CUTE Swiss Pixie Stamps in her store HERE.

Copic List: E00, E000, E0000, E21, E93, E57, E55, E53, E31, E35, E33, E37, RV21, RV32, RV34, RV09, RV06, BG11, BG10, B0000, G85, YG23, Y23, Y21, Y19, Y00.  Spica clear - for the wings.

The sketch is from MFT's Sketch Challenge 36, (MFTWSC36).
I am submitting this to All That Scraps Challenge as well.

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments!  Hope to see your creations over at the Challenge Blog.   Remember, you do not need a blog to join.  You can upload your card to SplitCoastStampers or whatever forum you go to and you can upload your picture from there.  The winner is drawn randomly, so no pressure.  Just have fun with us. 

Holly

Loves RubberStamps Challenge - Paper Piercing

Hello!

Welcome to another exciting week of Loves Rubbertamps Blog Challenge.  Last week we were inspired by a photo and some fabulous colors of pinks, grey and black.  All of the entrees were AWESOME!!!  This week we are asking you to upload a project with paper piercing.  Now what is paper piercing?  Poking holes in the card stock or cutting out designer paper for clothing?  From what I've read thus far from some seasoned stampers, it's both.

So I decided to go with the paper doll method of paper piercing and I've learned some tricks from some fabulous stampers.  The first tip I want to give you is, once you stamp your image on designer paper and you go to cutout, try staying outside the lines.  This reduces mismatched lines on your final product.  Second, if you are going to do multiple paper piercings, make sure you layer them.  Instead of cutting out pants and top, cut out all at once with one and then just the other article of clothing with the other and layer them on top of each other.  This also reduces that mismatched look or not enough room and is way less frustrating.   And it gives you nice clean lines.  I was going to do this very same thing with my image, but when I took a critical look I realized that having two different patterns for the top and bottom would not look great and he would probably get teased by the other kids in school, and I didn't want to put him through that, lol. 

So this is CC Designs Sugarplum Trevor, called Spring Trevor.  He is sitting on top of CC Designs Swiss Pixies Stone Wall.  The first time I stamped him with the wall, I thought,  "Oh I can eyeball this and it will be okay."  The second time I stamped him, lol, I realized that I NEEDED to use my stamping-ma-jig.  That little tool that lets you stamp an image and then stamp it again on plastic to fit it where it needs to go and then it has a tool that keeps it in place, so you stamp right next to the tool.  Which helps tremendously.....if only I could have found it, lol.  I dunno where I put that tool and now I really could have used it.  So this is my third try and through some scratch paper trial and error, I was able to eyeball where on his knees I needed to go, lol.   FYI for those who don't know how to use two images together like this.  I stamped Trevor first, stamped him again on a sticky note and then fussy cut him out from the sticky note.  I put removable adhesive on the sticky note to cover him up and then I stamped the stone wall over that.  Also for this card, I stamped the stone wall on a sticky note and cut that out and adhered it before using my airbrush.  

For this card, I used Echo Park, This and That - Charming collection paper, along with PTI dark chocolate card stock as well as the orange/yellow, who's name now escapes me.  I used my copics to color: BG11, BG13, YG93, E00, E000, E0000, E21, E93, E41, E42, E43, E44, E27, E25, E29, E23, Y17, YR14, YR 15, YR16, T6, T5, T4, T3, T2, T1. 
I also used a tons of mini brads, Making Memories are my favorite mini brads.
The sketch is from last years My Favorite Things (MFTWSC12)

Remember, if you do not see an image that you are wanting in the store, be sure to send a quick email off to Laura, she is so great about ordering what you want. 

Thanks for Looking and for your kind Comments!
I cannot wait to see your fabulous creations!!!

I'm also entering in the ATS challenge to paper pierce. 

Holly

I Heart Sketches - July, 10 more days!!!

There's just 10 more days to play in this months a sketch for you to try at I heart Sketches.  You do not want to miss out on playing, My Favorite Things is this months sponsor and I am this months Guest Designer.   I heard the prize is a gift voucher to MFT's!!! 

Here is this months sketch:

And once again I am using Complementary Greetings from MFT's.  I am also offering this set as  BLOG CANDY!   So don't miss out, click here and leave a comment.

Here is my Saturday Card:

This is so different than my usual style.   But when I first saw this sketch, I thought of the Tim Holtz Street Sign Die.....okay so it did not fit, lol.   I decided to use the post anyway and add my own sign.  Now Karen over at the Paper Playhouse used a sentiment stamp and I was so impressed by how well it inked up.  She said she tried some versa magic dew drops.  I commented on how well her sentiment inked up and how frustrating it has been to get a nice crisp image with sentiments.  So she emailed me to let me know they were on sale at JoAnnes on-line and they were also, (at the time) offering free shipping.  Well heck, at that price and free shipping I had no choice but to buy a few......or 18!  My only regret is that I did not buy them all, lol.   No muss, No fuss, this inked up so well I am still in shock.  I chose Gingerbread for the color of the sentiment to match the color in the paper. 

This card literally took me 10 minutes to make!  I'm in shock.  It took me an hour just to figure out what I was going to use, lol.  But once I got started, just 10 minutes.  Oh and the paper is MME Lost and Found - Sunshine. 

Okay, now head on over to Jen's blog and start making a card. 

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments!

Holly

Inspirational Friday

Happy Birthday!  Well, it's my birthday anyway and so I wanted to wish anyone else out there with a July Birthday a Happy Birthday.  In order to wish, one must make a wish and this cute little stamp from Bells and Whistles is called Wish and she is wishing you a Happy Birthday as well.

It's my day to share a some Inspiration for you from Loves RubberStamps.  Now if you haven't been there, I suggest you go check out her fabulous selection of stamps.  I just put in another order today!  lol.  Hey, it's my Birthday and I'll gifty myself if I want to, lol.  Recently I just realized, (okay sometimes I  am a little slow), that if I click on the Manufacturer and then see only a few stamps, I have to actually click on those to see the full line!  So keep clicking, there's more. lol.

 

I've had this little stamp for a while now and when I bought her, I was "saving" her for when I was "good enough" to color her up.  Because in my minds eye, I saw her colored up a certain way and I could not achieve that at the time.  I am here to tell you all, DO NOT do that! lol.  I now wish I would have just colored them as I bought them and then colored them again.  The truth of the matter is that someone else has colored her better than I did, they used better technique, shading, lighting... blah, blah, blah...  Do not let inexperience stop you.  For it was only when I learned to surrender to my imperfections that I realized I was getting better because I was coloring.  So buy them and color them and appreciate what you have done and think about what you would do different next time.  And yes, I am still not good enough and I'm still working it out but the difference is that I am having a lot more fun now and actually making cards. 

I drew inspiration from this weeks Loves RubberStamps Challenge photo.  I used a lot of colors, but tried to stick with the main colors.  There is still time to play, so make a card using the inspiration photo and upload, the prize is awesome! 

I just love this little image and her cute bare feet in the grass.  I airbrushed the sky and the grass with my copics.  I used a PTI pink, SU black card stock and paper from both Crate Paper Little BoPeep and SU's dsp Newsprint.  Copics used: E00, E21, E93, E000, E0000, E29, E27, E25, E23, BG 13, BG11, BG10, R83, R85, R81, E31, E33, E37, G24, G21, G28, G20, Y00, N6, N5, N4, N3, N1, N0. 

I'm also using this weeks sketch from My Favorite Things.

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments.

Holly

Loves Rubberstamps Inspirational Challenge

Hi,

This is my first official blog post as a Design Team for Love Rubberstamps!  Whooo Hooo.  This weeks challenge is a fabulous challenge.  You just make a project based on the photo above.   Easy Peasy!  I love black, pink, and grey together.  When I thought of these colors, I thought of a night sky airbrushed with some of the pinks.  What goes better with a night sky than a super romantic Kraftin Kimmie stamp from Loves Rubberstamps!  If you don't see her in the store, make sure you email Laura that you would like it and I'm sure arrangements can be made.  In fact, I've done that myself, lol.  And sure enough, she ordered the sets I wanted ASAP and notified me when they came in.  Super customer service!!!  That is why I am so thrilled to be a part of  her design team. 

So here is what I came up with:

I used MME blush designer paper, my Rose Kraftin Kimmie stamp, a flower die and tab die and my trusty Copic pens.  Now head on over to Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog to see what my fellow design team members have come up with for inspiration as well.  And get busy making a card for this challenge, I cannot wait to see what you come up with!  Oh and did I mention a prize?  Oh yeah and it's good!  Head on over and check it out. 

Thanks for Looking and for your wonderful Comments!

Holly

P.S.  I am submitting this card to Kraftin Kimmie Challenge - Polka Dots and to Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 163.

Ahoy There! MFTWSC80

I whipped this up this evening to get it in, in time for the MFT's weekly sketch challenge.  I used an A La Mode from MFT's.  And the flag, Wave, and wheel die-namic is also from MFT's.  I used October Afternoon Seaside 8X8 pad and some S.U. red and kraft.  I colored her up with my copics and airbrushed the sky and ground, although the clouds are not showing up in the picture.  I had some brads in my stash.  And speaking of, I looked high and low for my large white brads and could not find them.  While I was searching, I found a plethora of things I had forgotten all about, lol.   Does this ever happen to you?

Thanks for Looking and your wonderful Comments

Holly

Really Exciting News!!!!

Hi All,

I am working on a card right now, really I am, but I wanted to stop and take a moment to blog some seriously good news.   I am a design team member of Loves Rubber Stamps.    Isn't that fabulous!!!  Click on the blinky on the top right hand corner and start shopping away!!! lol.  There is also weekly challenges and the prizes are so worth playing for.  Look for the challenge blinky on my sidebar and start joining in on the fun!  There are some stamps to win!

Now Laura is always adding to her collection of stamps, so if you see a company you love but not the stamp you are looking for, feel free to email her and ask her if she can get that in for you. 

Okay, now I got run and get my first design team card made!  Thanks for all your support and kind comments. 

Holly

July SFYTT Guest Designer

This is the second Saturday in July, there is still plenty of time to make a card using this sketch

and get it uploaded to Jen's, "I heart sketches" site.   Today I flipped the sketch and used My Favorite Things stamp set called Complimentary greetings:

Which I have offered in this post, just click the blue and leave a comment on that post to be eligible to win.   My Favorite Things is this months sponsor for this sketch!  That's a great prize!!!

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments.

Holly

Turntable Josh

I made this card this evening for the Sparkle Challenge 83.  A throwback challenge to use one of her original stamps released the first year.  I won this Turntable Josh in the last set of challenges, so I was so excited to be able to use him.  I used a sketch from last years MFT sketches that I wanted to catch up on as well, MFTWSC42. 

I love this paper!  It's Abroad by Studio Calico.  I colored with my Copic markers and used the musical notes die-namics from MFT's. 

Thanks so much for Looking and your kind Comments.

Holly

Sweet Summer Days

Flourishes has a Sketch Challenge, (FLLCJUL12) and Loves Rubberstamps has a Blog Challenge, (Sweet Summer Days), so I combined the two and came up with this:

I ordered these Flourishes Hollyhocks and Fresh Picked from Laura at the Loves Rubberstamps Store.  Again, I was so impressed that she special ordered these for me.  I had visions of combining these two stamps sets for a long time now, lol.  I had to look up the colors of Hollyhocks on line and found this picture:

So I now know they come in many colors.  The article went on to say they bloom in mid summer, which makes them perfect for the Sweet Summer Days challenge.  Right now, it's mid summer where I'm at in California and it's 103!  No flowers like it outside in this heat, lol. 

I love this sketch, it was so much fun and just perfect to use with these two sets.  I colored up the Hollyhocks with my Copics: R39, R37, R35, G07, YG03, YG05, E44, E43, E42, E41, E40 and airbrushed the sky with B12.  The paper is Bazzillbasicspaper - Avalon.  I also used S.U. Kraft, Bashful Blue and Black.  I added a couple brads and my little flags were cut out from a tag die-namic from MFT's.  I ran Kraft strip through my bigshot using a cuttlebug embossing folder and added some S.U. ribbon I had in my stash. 

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments.

Don't forget to comment on this post for a chance to win some blog candy!

Holly

LRSBC7 and CTD199

For my Guest Designer Post SFYTT and Blog Candy click Here.


This weeks Challenge over at Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog is a sketch.  And it is a very tricky sketch.  I had to think about this one for a while. 

So I thought and I thought and then I remembered my Sizzix embossing folder that does something very similar to the rays in this sketch.  And today I was going through my stamps and came across a set I recently purchased at Loves Rubber Stamps.  In fact, the owner special ordered this set for me.  Talk about customer service!  Wow.  I was blown away.  Before I got started, I checked out The Color Throwdown Blog to see if I could use their color combination.  Something I love to try to do.  So this is also for the Color Throwdown Challenge #199. 

And so, combining the two challenges, I came up with this:

The embossing did not show up in my light box, so I had to take the picture on my desk, under a lamp, lol.   I love this Flourishes set called Sweet Days of Summer.  I have wanted it for a long while now, but as soon as I saw Flourishes offered in Laura's store, I was quick to ask for it.  Laura has a sweet deal, if you order a certain amount, you get free shipping.  I love that! 

Anyhow, I stamped the sprinkler kids on white and cut out with my Spellbinders circle.  I then airbrushed the imaged circle with Copics: YR12, E42, E43, B37, B000.  All of the colors in the colors throwdown are in there between the Kraft, Navy, and Red card stock and the designer paper and then the lighter blue is in the sky. 

Do you remember being a kid and playing outside until the sun was setting?  I was thinking about that while I was making this card.  The game always seemed to get at the fun peak point when it was time to come in.  I often wonder why that is?  But I watch my son and his friends play and it's the same thing, the game is getting just to the point where everyone is playing hard and having fun, and it's time to go. lol.   So this is my way of stopping time just at the best time, that way they can keep playing and having fun and never have to go in the house. 

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments.

Holly

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge 135, All That Scrap Challenge

For my Guest Designer SFYTT and Blog Candy Post click HERE. 

This weeks Kraftin Kimmie Challenge is to use your favorite KK stamp.  Well, each month there is a release and therefore, each month I have a new favorite KK stamp, lol.  I recently purchased this Nurse Nightingale stamp.  Goes along with my career and I thought she was so cute. 

I paired her up with some Lilybee design paper called Handmade and one of Jen's deconstructive sketches.

I colored her with copics and cut her out with my Spellbinders Circles, added some red brads and some MFT Die-namic's fishtails.  I used S.U. Kraft and PTI red card stock and some off brand white card stock.

All That Scraps has a design team challenge as well, so I will be submitting this to them. 

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments.

Holly

July's SFYTT Guest Designer and Blog Candy

I am so excited to be this months Guest Designer for Jen Del Muro's a Sketch For You To Try!  This months sketch has so many possibilities. 

I was jumping up and down to learn this months sponsor is My Favorite Things!!!!  Whooo Hooo.   They quite literally have my favorite things in their on line store.  The stamps, the die-namics, the felt!  This month they have released matching buttons and ribbon to go with their paper in such yummy wonderful colors.  One of my favorite stamps to color are their Pure Innocence stamps.  Such cute little people and they make more of them each and every month.  I can never have enough. 

I used Lady Liberty with this months sketch, along with the notched border die-namic.  I used Authentiques Glory paper with some S.U. red and kraft paper.  I colored her with my Copic's and used my airbrush for the clouds.  I have always seen pictures of the Statue of Liberty in the clouds.  So it seemed like the right thing to do, lol. 

I am so thrilled to be asked to be this months Guest Designer, it is like a dream come true.  So to celebrate this happy occasion, I am offering this months MFT's Clearly Celebration set, Complimentary Greetings, as blog candy.

Rules:

Become a follower if you want
Leave a comment and how I can get in touch with you.
Winner will be selected and posted on my final July SFYTT blog post July 28th.

Thanks so much for celebrating with me!

Holly

Hang Loose

Happy 4th of July!  Hope you are all enjoying fire works or just did enjoy fire works, lol.  I have five more minutes before we get started.  So I wanted to upload this quickly.  I made this for My Favorite Things sketch challenge and for All That Scraps DT call challenge. 

I colored her with my copics: E0000, E000, E00, E21, E93, N8, N6, N5, N4, No, E37, E35, E33, E31, BG53, BG07.  I paper pierced her with the Paradise Beach designer paper.  I used the daisy flower die-namic from my favorite things and the new tag die-namics.  Added some brads and I was done.  Love these surfer images, they crack me up.   Oh and I used my airbrush for the sky and the water. 

Thanks for Looking and your kind Comments.

Holly